Plainview Old Bethpage Cares, a community program for seniors over the age of 60 living in Plainview and Old Bethpage, held the first of two scheduled community forums on Dec. 2.

POB Cares recently conducted a survey to find out what seniors need in order to continue living in the community. The first phase of the data analysis was recently completed and the forums were held to share the information and encourage participation within the community.

Approximately 30 people attended the community forum, which was held at the Plainview Old Bethpage Library, and listened to a demonstration from project director Linda Greenbaum and also asked questions and expressed concerns.

Greenbaum explained that Plainview and Old Bethpage were selected for this study because they are both working communities with a hospital, the Mid Island Y JCC, a very involved library, senior club and there is a relatively high percentage of seniors in Plainview and Old Bethpage. There are also many clubs and organizations, a very involved school district, public officials, community leaders and strong business community.

"We needed to identify the needs of the community and ask people what they have and what they need," said Greenbaum. "This was the purpose of the survey. We want to keep seniors in this community - if seniors want to leave their homes, let's at least help them stay in the community."

According to the survey, the top five primary concerns that local seniors mentioned in the survey are remaining in one's home; transportation/adequate handicapped parking; dependence on family for support; health and safety and lack of awareness of available services to seniors in the community.

The survey revealed that people need special services like snow removal, small home repair, prescription pick-up and delivery. There is the need for accessible information about the reliable, trustworthy and reasonably priced services in the community.

"Plainview and Old Bethpage senior residents like living in their community," Greenbaum said referring to statistics revealed in the survey. "More than 50 percent have lived there for over 40 years and many would like to remain in their community for as long as they are able."

The volunteer part is a big aspect of this program. Greenbaum explained what the volunteers have been doing and explained the need for more volunteers. "This program is just starting and we are just finding out about the needs of the community," she said. "It is hard to answer all of those needs now since the program is still in the beginning process, but after the needs are assessed, POB Cares will be able to help."

There are many volunteer opportunities available with Plainview Old Bethpage Cares such as transportation, friendly visits, telephone companion, doing errands and small household repairs, office work and the advisory board. For more information please contract Volunteer Coordinator Harriet Blatt at 249-6000.

"We were very pleased with the number of people who attended Monday's forum and their high level of interest in the survey results," said Greenbaum. "Several indicated that they would like to be kept informed of the work done by the advisory board committees. We encourage people to attend future advisory board meetings and to join one of the committees as well as to consider volunteering to assist other seniors who need help with providing local transportation, shopping, errands or need some companionship. We also encourage members of younger generations to get involved. We are currently reaching out to the school board and the PTAs as well as the faith-based organizations throughout Plainview-Old Bethpage. We encourage those people unable to attend the meeting on Monday to attend the community forum we scheduled for next Thursday evening, 7-9 p.m. at the library. The next advisory board meeting is this Thursday, but for publication purposes, the next one is on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003 at 2 p.m. at our office."

POB Cares office is located at 1670 Old Country Road suite 11 in Plainview. Please call 249-6000 for more information. Anyone wishing to hear more detailed results of the recent survey is encouraged to attend the second POB Cares community forum at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library scheduled for Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.